Cardiff moved back into the Coca-Cola Championship play-offs after surviving a late scare to secure a jittery victory over Norwich.

Paul Parry scored the only goal - his fourth of the season - with two and a half minutes on the clock.

The visitors were poor before the break on a dreadful playing surface at Ninian Park.

But Norwich came on strong after the interval and rattled Dave Jones' side, with powerful substitute Dion Dublin a constant thorn in the hosts' side.

Despite the far from impressive circumstances, the Bluebirds took full advantage of defeats for Preston and Southampton, while Wolves play West Brom on Sunday, to move up to fifth place.

Desperate to make up for their 1-0 loss at Birmingham last time out, the Bluebirds were keen to make a point from the first whistle.

Midfielder Stephen McPhail drilled a strike wide with less than a minute gone and shortly after the Bluebirds were ahead.

Cardiff striker Michael Chopra has scored 21 goals this season but he turned provider to supply a cross for Parry to prod home after two minutes for his first goal since September.

Despite the hosts getting their noses in front, it was scrappy stuff from both teams, with Peter Whittingham and Chopra failing to trouble former Cardiff man Tony Warner in the Norwich goal.

Following a poor clearance from Kevin McNaughton, Lee Croft latched on to Adam Drury's cross but his disappointing effort flew past the post with Cardiff goalkeeper Neil Alexander beaten.

With the hosts on top, Whittingham's thumping drive was tipped over the bar by Warner and the subsequent corner was hacked away by Youssef Safri.

On a poor pitch, the Canaries rarely looked like creating the kind of chance that could get them back on level terms before the break.

Norwich boss Peter Grant threw on veteran Dublin for Croft less than 10 minutes after the interval but Cardiff continued to enjoy the ascendancy.

Steven Thompson had a header held by Warner from just over 10 yards out and Chopra scuffed another chance as the Bluebirds searched for a second.

Warner was called on again to get a hand to a Thompson drive just after the hour as the game opened up.

And Norwich finally showed signs of life with Darren Huckerby, whose frustration had earlier seen him booked for dissent, having an effort saved by Alexander.

Dublin's size was causing problems for an increasingly jittery Cardiff and shortly after Chris Martin had dragged wide, the former England international's header was diverted over the bar by Alexander at full stretch.

As the hosts came through the heaviest spell of pressure, a breakaway saw Chopra fire narrowly wide of goal.

With Huckerby having an injury-time effort ruled out for offside, Cardiff played out time to secure a vital victory.

Teams

Cardiff Alexander, McNaughton, Loovens, Johnson, Ledley,Whittingham, McPhail, Parry (Gunter 81), Scimeca, Chopra,Thompson (Byrne 76).

Subs Not Used: Forde, Walton, Green.

Booked: Whittingham, Scimeca.

Goals: Parry 3.

Norwich Warner, Drury, Shackell, Hughes, Doherty,Croft (Dublin 54), Safri, Lappin, Etuhu, Martin, Huckerby.

Subs Not Used: Gallacher, Fotheringham, McVeigh, Colin.

Booked: Drury, Huckerby.

Att: 13,276

Ref: G Salisbury (Lancashire).